A total of 21 journalists and six netizens and citizen journalists
have been killed so far this year, according to Reporters Without
Borders (RSF), which claims this equals "a rate of one news
provider killed every five days".

"What with crackdowns on protest in Arab countries, and suppression
of political opposition, criticism and reporting in other parts of
the world, the first four months of 2012 were especially violent
for those who try to provide news and information," RSF
reports.

The UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and the director-general of
UNESCO Irina Bokova also issued
a joint statement for World Press Freedom Day in which they
described freedom of expression as "one of our most precious
rights".

"It underpins every other freedom and provides a foundation for
human dignity. Free, pluralistic and independent media is essential
for its exercise.

"This is the message of World Press Freedom Day. Media freedom
entails the freedom to hold opinions and to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers, as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights. This freedom is essential for healthy and vibrant
societies."

Referring to changes within the Arab world, the statements adds
that "newfound media freedom" in these regions "is promising to
transform societies through greater transparency and
accountability".

"It is opening new ways to communicate and to share information and
knowledge. Powerful new voices are rising — especially from young
people — where they were silent before."

But there remain "severe pressures" for media freedom globally, the
statement adds.

"Last year, UNESCO condemned the killing of 62 journalists who died
as a result of their work. These journalists must not be forgotten
and these crimes should not remain unpunished.

"As media moves online, more online journalists, including
bloggers, are being harassed, attacked, and killed for their work.
They must receive the same protection as traditional media
workers.

"... World Press Freedom Day is our opportunity to raise the flag
in the fight to advance media freedom. We call on States,
professional media and non-governmental organisations everywhere to
join forces with the United Nations to promote online and offline
freedom of expression in accordance with internationally accepted
principles.

"This is a pillar of individual rights, a foundation for healthy
societies and a force for social transformation."

On Wednesday (2 May) the Committee to Protect Journalists released
its "most censored countries" list, which was
topped by Eritrea.

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